NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE                              APPROVED 5/10/06

April 26, 2006                                                                                           

6:00 pm Executive Session for Level III Grievance

 Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (9)

7:00 PM Business Meeting

   Central Administration Building                                                                                               100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

 

                             I.      Meeting Organization

 

A.      Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance

 

1.        Chairperson Don DeFedele called the meeting to order at 7:15pm.

 

B.      Roll Call              

        Present:  Chairperson, Donald DeFedele; Vice Chairperson, Denise Coppa; Renee Cockerill; Janice DeFrances; Bill

        Mudge; Barry Martasian; Melvoid Benson, and William Brennan, Jamestown Representative

       

       Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools; Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of  

       Pupil Services; William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources; Maureen Buck, Director of Administrative Services,

and Lee Rabbitt, Director of Information Technology

 

Absent:    Barbara Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Director of Curriculum

 

                                Legal Representative: David Reilly, Esq.                               

 

C.       Calendars

1.        Important dates were reviewed with the Committee:

a.   Kindergarten registration is being continued through April 27th.

b.  There will be a Town Council meeting on May 1st which will address the School Committee’s request for

      an exemption to the spending cap for the contribution to pension fund and the capitol improvements

      suggested for Wickford Middle School and Davisville Elementary School.  The Town Council has

      requested that one representative from the School Committee speak at the meeting.  Mr. Mudge

      recommended that  the Committee does not participate under those conditions.

c.  There will be a School Committee Worksession on May 10th at 7:00pm that follows an Executive Session

     at 6:00pm.

d.   There will be an All Town Jazz Concert on May 11th at 7:00pm at the high school.

e.   May 17th is a professional development day and there will be no school for students.  There is a Keyworks

      session for the School Committee at 6:30pm.

f.   On May 18th there is a SELAC meeting at 7:00pm in the NK Library.

 

                        A request was made to have the memo distributed to the School Committee from the Town Council requesting one speaker

                        attend their meeting.

 

                       Motion was made by Bill Mudge to write a letter to the Town Council stating that the School Committee would not

                       participate in their meeting under their conditions.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson because she did not see the

                       correspondence from the Town Council.

 

                       It was stated that this is the Town Council’s meeting and that they have requested a school committee representative be

                       present in the event there are questions.  Sending this suggested letter would seem antagonistic.

                        Bill Mudge felt that this meeting is for everybody to articulate their feelings and it is outrageous not to be able to hear

                       everyone’s opinion.

                       Don DeFedele reminded the committee that this is a Town Council meeting and a discussion for them. They have    

                       requested a School Committee representative out of courtesy.

                     

                      Vote:  Fails  6 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting yes.

                      

 

D.      Ground Rules

A list of ground rules was to read to the Committee by Mr. DeFedele to approve and abide by at this meeting.

Motion to accept the ground rules was made by Don DeFedele.  Seconded by Denise Coppa.

Vote:  6 to 0 to approve, Bill Mudge abstained.      

 

                           II.      Citizen’s Comments on Agenda Items:

A.   Larry Ceresi requested that the SELAC subcommittee be given chance to speak on the Special Ed bus issue.

       Don DeFedele replied that he would do his best to see that it gets discussed.

B.    Muriel Cammara reported that she was in attendance at the Town Council meeting. The Town Council stated that they  

       did not want a report from the School Committee, just a representative.

       Mrs. Cammara suggested that the School Committee follow the policy that the Town Council uses for bids and awards. 

       They list who won the bid and what the total bid cost.  Mrs. Cammara remarked that the tone that the Committee

       started with does not bode well.

C.       Kathleen Brown asked about the consultant for needs assessment bid and when it was identified as a need.  Dr. Halley replied that he initiated this item.  Mrs. Brown noted that a previous survey cost $3,000.  This seems like little information for a lot of money.

Mrs. Brown stated that she did not recall the Superintendent’s contract ever being discussed and it should be listed under New Business.  She would like the public to be able to discuss this.

Mrs. Brown stated that the Wellness Policy seems the same as what was presented at the last meeting and asked if all questions had been answered such as the USDA guidelines and if this affected programs during school hours only or other programs such as PTO and athletic events.

Denise Coppa replied that this policy would apply to all activities and compared this to the smoking policy.  The policy is across the board for school sponsored activities.  The specifics will be addressed in the regulations.

Mrs. Brown stated that she would like to speak to any item under New Business.

 

                    Motion was made by Bill Mudge to move the special needs transportation issue forward on the agenda.  Seconded by

                    Janice DeFrances.

                    Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

                    There was a discussion of special needs buses arriving late to the schools.  The issues addressed in the Bacon & Edge report

                     have now been corrected.  A report was distributed detailing exact arrival and pick up times of the special needs buses over

                     the past three days.  Principals had also been polled and reported an occasional problem but nothing occurring on a daily

                     basis.  There is situation at Wickford Middle School being worked on in which one student is arriving at bell time.

                    There was a concern about students arriving after the 15 minutes that they are allowed to participate in the breakfast 

                    program.

                    Provisions are made for students if they arrive late and require breakfast.  These are mostly students who are totally or

                    partially in self-contained classrooms and have programs that are individualized so they are not missing class work.

 

                   Motion was made by Denise Coppa to direct the Superintendent to direct Transportation to have the special needs

                   buses leave early enough to arrive at the schools 15 minutes before school starts.  Seconded by Renee Cockerill.

 

                  It was pointed out that the buses could arrive without supervision of students because of staff not being there that early where

                  the bus run starts.   

                  It was suggested that the principals come in early to supervise because we must comply with the law.

                 This report was only a sampling of three days because of school being in recess the previous week and more information was  

                  requested.

         

                 Motion was made by Melvoid Benson to hear from SELAC regarding the special needs transportation.  Seconded by

                 Bill Mudge.  Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

                 Larry Ceresi, SELAC co-chair, stated that there is a problem at Davisville Elementary and Quidnessett schools.  Davisville

                 Elementary is dismissed at 2:25pm and buses arrive daily between 3:00 – 3:15pm.  Mr. Ceresi stated that this has been a  

                 problem for two years and it is not acceptable.  Some students are waiting 45 minutes after dismissal as well as arriving late in

                 the morning. They are entitled to the same rights as other students.  There are students who are arriving 15 minutes late in

                 inclusion classes and this needs to be fixed.

                 Mr. Ceresi made clear that he was not complaining about the staff and felt the paras, monitors and bus drivers were doing a

                 fabulous job.

 

                Amendment to the main motion was made by Janice DeFrances that the special needs students be treated equally for

                arrival and dismissal times as non-special needs students.  Seconded by Bill Mudge.

                Vote:  Unanimous to approve.                  

 

                Sharon Schubert, SELAC co-chair, distributed a letter to the Committee from a parent of a special needs child.   

                It was stated that there was conflicting information between the bus drivers reports and SELAC’s information and there was a

                need for more sampling of bus arrival and pick up times.

                Maureen Buck offered to record observations of the bus times herself for two weeks.

 

               Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the special needs bus discussion.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

               Vote:  6 to 1 to approve, Melvoid Benson voting no.

 

               Vote on main motion to have special needs buses arrive 15 minutes before school starts: 

                              Denise Coppa         Yes                                          Melvoid Benson         No

                              Renee Cockerill     Yes                                 Barry Martasian       No

                              Janice DeFrances   Yes                                Don DeFedele            No

                              Bill Mudge              Yes        

                Motion passes 4 to 3.              

 

                Motion was made by Barry Martasian to have a more detailed report from Transportation with a recommendation by

                the next Business Meeting.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

 

               Amendment to the motion was made by Bill Mudge to have the Superintendent submit a report by the next Business

               Meeting.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

 

               Vote on the amendment:  Bill Mudge           Yes                              Barry Martasian      No

                                                           Don DeFedele      Yes                               Janice DeFrances     No

                                                           Melvoid Benson  Yes                     Renee Cockerill        No

                                                                                                                    Denise Coppa           No

              Amendment fails 4 to 3.

 

             Vote on main motion:        Bill Mudge            Yes                    Don DeFedele           No

                                                          Barry Martasian   Yes                   Melvoid Benson        No

                                                                                                                   Renee Cockerill        No

                                                                                                                   Denise Coppa            No

                                                                                                                   Janice DeFrances     No

             Motion failed 5 to 2.                                                                                 

 

      

                         III.      Routine Items :

A.  Correspondence:

      1.  Don DeFedele recognized the high school symphonic band for receiving a Superior A rating, which is the highest award that can be given, at a recent competition in Annapolis.   Congratulations were given to the band and director, Toni Silveira.

 

B.  Disclosure of Executive Session Votes:

There was a 6:00 PM executive session for a level three grievance attended by Barry Martasian, Don DeFedele, Melvoid Benson and Bill Mudge.  A motion was made by Melvoid Benson to withdraw a letter from the teachers’ files.  There was no second.  A motion was made by Barry Martasian to uphold the Superintendent’s recommendation.  Seconded by Bill Mudge.  Vote failed with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson voting no, Barry Martasian voting yes and Don DeFedele abstaining.                                                         

 

                                                                          CONSENT AGENDA

 

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Denise Coppa/Janice DeFrances with a vote of 6 to 0 with Bill Mudge abstaining..

Approved items that were exempted or amended within the consent agenda are marked with ** as indicated immediately following the item.

Withdrawn or Tabled Items from the consent agenda are marked with *** as indicated immediately following the item.

 

Mr. DeFedele reminded the Committee that there are other items on the agenda that the Committee needs to discuss. 

Dr. Coppa suggested that the Committee decide the number of minutes that it would like to spend on each agenda item and suggested that 20 minutes be allowed on each item.  All on the Committee agreed, with Bill Mudge opposed.

 

                C.   Home Schooling Requests – none submitted

   

D.   Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings:

       1.  April 12, 2006 School Committee Worksession*

       2.  April 12, 2006 Executive Session*

                            

              E.   Financial Items:

      1.  Monthly Financial Update*

      2.  Year-to-Date Budget Reports**

            Denise Coppa referred to page 2 which lists legal services.  This item is already 120.2% over budget and would like to

            put this issue on the next agenda to discuss the need to keep an attorney at each meeting.

            An itemized report of legal expenses was requested.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to add the discussion of attorney attendance at School Committee Meetings with an

accounting of legal costs for the past year to the next agenda.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

 

Amendment to the motion was made by Bill Mudge to include a discussion of having a contract with the School

Committee lawyer in compliance with School Department regulations.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

Vote:    Janice DeFrances           Yes                                                Denise Coppa          No

             Bill Mudge                      Yes                                  Barry Martasian     No

             Renee Cockerill              Yes                                                Don DeFedele          No

             Melvoid Benson              Yes                                       

Amendment passes 4 to 3.

 

Vote on main motion:  6 to 1 to approve with Don DeFedele voting no.

 

Motion to approve the Year-to-Date Budget report was made by Denise Coppa.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

      3.  Quarterly Revenue Report**

           Bill Mudge asked about the current tuition rates being paid this year and next year, and how many students are in each

           category.  Mrs. Buck will provide the requested information.

 

Motion was made by Melvoid Benson to have a breakdown of organizations who use the schools and amount of rentals

paid by each, as well as amount of rentals received this year for the next meeting.  Seconded by Bill Mudge.

 

Vote:  Janice DeFrances          Yes                                   Denise Coppa          No

             Bill Mudge                    Yes                                    Barry Martasian     No

             Renee Cockerill            Yes                                  Don DeFedele          No

             Melvoid Benson            Yes                                       

Motion passes 4 to 3.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the Quarterly revenue Report.  Seconded by Renee Cockerill.

Vote:  6 to 0 to approve, Bill Mudge abstaining.

 

      4.  Monthly/Quarterly Report FY06*  

 

F.  Bids and Awards:

      1.  Consultant for Needs Assessment Survey**

           Janice DeFrances asked for the reason for this bid.  Dr. Halley explained that this was to assess North Kingstown

           residents’ attitude toward the school department in order to assess our needs.  The SALT survey only includes students

           and teachers opinions, but this would include the entire town.  This would be individual contact by a telephone call to

           approximately 400 residents.

           Dr. DeFrances asked to see what questions would be asked in this survey.

           Bill Mudge agreed and was concerned that we have other expenses to consider before this survey is approved.

           Dr. Halley withdrew the request for this bid and will provide the Committee with more information.

      2.  Repair and Resurfacing of High School Track**

           Bill Mudge questioned what account this money would come from, asked why this was not submitted to the Asset

           Management and why it was not done in the budget last year when the budget was underspent by $292,000.  He felt this is

           a capital reserve item. 

       

 

           Maureen Buck explained that there was a budget freeze last year starting in October.  This project was not done because 

           there were other items that were needed.  Money was diverted from the maintenance account with the permission of the

           School Committee so there was not enough money in the budget to do this last year.

           The Superintendent did not recommend this project last year, but is putting it in front of the Committee now for a vote.

           This is regular repair and maintenance that should be done every three years.  This is an item we can budget for and does

           not need to be done through capital reserve

 

      Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the resurfacing of the high school track.   Seconded by Janice

      DeFrances.  Vote to approve 5 to 2 with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson voting no.

 

      Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the resurfacing of the high school track.  Seconded by Barry

      Martasian.  Vote to approve 6 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

      3.  Floor Tile Installation at Davisville Elementary School**

           Bill Mudge asked about the tile at other schools.  Mrs. Buck replied that this is the only school that needs replacing so far.

           This will not cover the whole school because of the time it will take to complete the job.

           Denise Coppa felt that this was a health issue and should be approved.

 

      Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the floor tile installation.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

      Vote to approve 6 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

      Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the floor tile installation at Davisville Elementary School.  Seconded by

      Don DeFedele.

      Vote:  6 to 0 with Bill Mudge abstaining.

 

     Recess was taken at 8:55pm.

     Meeting resumed at 9:10pm.

 

     Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the remainder of Item F – Bids and Awards.  Seconded by Janice

     DeFrances.

 

     Bill Mudge felt there was no rush to approve since some of these bids were out of the 07 budget.  He had questions on some

     items such as the fire alarm maintenance – how many hours would be worked and how much was spent last year.

     Dr. Coppa stated that these things are day to day operations and the School Committee’s job is only oversight.  The School

     Committee needs to allow the school administration to do their jobs.

 

    Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the approval of Item F.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

    Vote to approve 5 to 2 with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson voting no.

 

    Vote to approve the remainder of Item F:  5 to 2 to approve with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson voting no.

 

 

      4.  Seal Coating for DE, SL, FP, QE, FC and HE*

      5.  Bond ISDS Change Order*

      6.  Fire Alarm Maintenance*

      7.  Folding Partitions Inspection and Maintenance*

      8.  Inspection and Maintenance on Gymnasium Equipment*

      9.  HVAC Repair Bid*

    10.  Service Agreement of Public Address/Intercom Systems*

    11.  Oil Tank Cleaning*

    12.  Septic Tank Cleaning*

 

 

              G. Personnel Items:

1.                                 Appointment, Non-Certificated Staff -

a)                   Joan Greene, Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 @ $10.84 per hour, effective April 10, 2006.  Budgeted.*

 

 

 

 

b)                   Jayson Juhnowski, Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 @ $10.84 per hour, effective April 11, 2006. Not Budgeted.**

                                                          Bill Mudge questioned where this un-budgeted money will come from.  Denise Coppa replied that

                                                          this position is required by a student’s IEP so this position has to be filled.  Mr. Mudge asked if

                                                          it would be from the 10144 account or the kindergarten account, math or SmART account.

                                                          Don DeFedele explained that it will come from the personnel account.

 

                                      Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the hiring of this position.  Seconded by Barry  

                                      Martasian.

                                      Vote:  6 to 1 to approve with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

                                      Vote to approve item G1-B:  6 to 1 to approve with Bill Mudge abstaining.

 

2.                    Increase In Pay, COZ Staff – Grant Funded

a)                   Brenda Potter, Certified Home Educator/Early Childhood Manager for the Parent as Teacher Program, Even Start Family Literacy, NKKIN-NECT, Child Outreach and Parent Development, from $25 to $29 per hour, 35 hours per week, effective January 1, 2006.  Budgeted.*

 

b)            Aleeza Haggerty, COZ Arts Integration Coordinator, from $19 per hour to $22.50 per hour, 15 hours per week for 40 weeks, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks, effective January 1, 2006. Budgeted.*

 

3.                    Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:

a)                   Catherine Monaghan, Paraprofessional at Quidnessett Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, effective April 25, 2006.*

 

4.                    Retirements, Non-Certificated Staff:

a)                   Margaret Lucas, Principal Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, effective June 30, 2006.*

 

H.        Middle School Soccer Program for Approval *

 

          Bill Daly congratulated audience member Joan Greene who has just been hired by the vote of the Committee.

   END OF CONSENT AGENDA

         IV.   Unfinished Business

                   (For Discussion and Action)

A.      Exemption for the Spending Cap of School Capital  Reserve Fund

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele whereas, the Town of North Kingstown Budget Policy adopted November 14, 2005 states “Requests for funding beyond the Town Council’s established cap may receive consideration but only to the extent that there is a documented critical need that cannot be met with the established spending cap.”

 

And whereas, the School Committee has identified in its Capital Budget listing of capital improvements items that  must be addressed in order to maintain the facility infrastructure to support the education of students,

 

And whereas, these identified Capital needs total almost $9 million in the immediate future and $5 million in the long term,

 

And whereas, these identified Capital needs are in addition to Capital needs currently supported by bonding or School Modernization requests currently awaiting bonding support,

 

Be it resolved that the School Capital Reserve fund will be supplemented by monies appropriated from the fund balance to the level of $500,000 in the forthcoming budget.

 

Be it further resolved that this amount will increase each year by $100,000 until the total amount appropriated each year reaches $1,000,000.

 

 

Be it further resolved that the School Capital Reserve Fund be exempt from any current or future spending caps.

Seconded by Denise Coppa.

 

There was a discussion concerning if the Capital Reserve Fund was under the spending cap or if this was a request to increase the funding of the Capital Reserve Fund.

When the Town Manager makes his budget, this is part of it.  Last year the School Committee had to choose if they wanted the money in the operating budget or in the Capital Reserve Fund.

It was suggested to address this motion in separate parts.

Mr. Mudge submitted his summary of the Capital Reserve titled “Status Report of School Capital Reserve Fund” (Appendix A) and felt that the Town should not fund the Capital Reserve Fund from school funds.

Mr. Mudge suggested that we discontinue the Capital Reserve Fund and every year have an account that the School Committee controls, but it was stated that if this were included in the operating budget, a tight budget could force cuts to that account and projects would not get done.

We are asking the Town to take money from their fund balance which is surplus revenues.  They fund some of the municipal spending from this account – this year $870,000 – so in fairness, why not also fund the schools from this account.

Dr. Haley referred to page 160 of the Town Budget which states the policy of accumulation and utilization of the fund balance in appendix C and page 161 appendix D.  The fund balance utilization and accumulation from 2001-2007 includes revenue, expenditures, total fund balance and how the town disposed of the fund balance.  On page 203 it explains that the town took approximately $870,000 for the prior year’s surplus and in 2005 took $1     million from the prior year’s surplus.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the exemption for the spending cap of the School Capital Reserve Fund.  Seconded  by Barry Martasian.

Vote:      Janice DeFrances           Yes                                  Renee Cockerill         No

               Don DeFedele                  Yes                                    Bill Mudge                 No

               Denise Coppa                  Yes                                          Melvoid Benson         No

               Barry Martasian             Yes

 

 

Amendment to the motion was made by Bill Mudge to insert the words “not from the school fund balance” after the statement, “Be it resolved that the School Capital Reserve fund will be supplemented by monies appropriated from the fund balance…”.  Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

Amendment to the motion was made by Bill Mudge to insert the words “not from the school fund balance” after the statement “Be it further resolved that this amount will increase each year by $100,000 until the total amount appropriated …”.  Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote:   6 to 1 to approve with Don DeFedele voting no.

 

Amendment to the motion was made by Bill Mudge to add that the school capital reserve fund not be considered as part of the school fund exemption.  No second.

 

It was stated that by exempting the Capital Reserve Fund it would be making sure that it is not included in the spending cap.     

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the main motion.   Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote:     Denise Coppa       Yes                               Bill Mudge                 No

              Barry Martasian  Yes                         Janice DeFrances     No

              Don DeFedele       Yes                                Renee Cockerill        No

                                                                            Melvoid Benson        No

Motion fails 4 to 3.

 

It was stated that the last paragraph to the motion was needed because the school capital reserve fund is included as part of the school fund.  It has to be exempted from the spending cap to separate it from the school budget.

 

Denise Coppa left at 11:00pm.

 

If the Town Council agrees with the motion, they will transfer $500,000 from the fund balance to the capital reserve fund.  The School Committee is asking to exempt that fund so that the Town does not reduce the school budget by $500,000.

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to end debate on the main motion.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote:  4 to 2 to approve with Melvoid Benson and Bill Mudge voting no.

 

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to approve the exemption for the spending cap of the School Capital Reserve Fund as amended with two changes.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to adjourn the meeting after comments.  Seconded by Renee Cockerill.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

B.       Superintendent’s Contract – Restructuring of Compensation Package – no discussion or action taken

 

C.       Health & Wellness Policy – 2nd reading

Denise Coppa presented the Health and Wellness Policy for a second reading with minor changes.  The sentence requiring that physical education be extended to a full year program was removed, and purpose and policy statements were added. 

Dr. Coppa noted that a section on start time could be added if it was desired by the Committee and could be included under policy statement.   

Mr. Mudge felt that specific start times are not needed, just sleep issues and asked if the Committee went over this.

Dr. Coppa replied that she sent the policy to the Wellness Committee by e-mail and did not receive comments.

Janice DeFrances asked about after-school activities being offered for high school credit.

This could be a possibility of students receiving credit for participation in an after-school activity such as a YMCA program or Interact Club.   The specifics would be outlined in the policy’s regulations.

Dr. DeFrances assumes the regulations will include specifics for students with disabilities.

Barry Martasian suggested that there be more specifics in the policy about after-school credits and stated that a sleep statement could be added in the future as an amendment to the policy.

Dr. Halley agreed with granting students credit for after-school activities.  Graduations requirements are changing and this could include documenting experiences to include in a portfolio.  He envisions students writing proposals to be approved for credit on an individual basis rather than giving students a list of activities to choose.

 

Motion was made by Barry Martasian to approve the Wellness Policy.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

D.      2006-2007 School Budget – no discussion or action taken

E.       Bond Issue Update – no discussion or action taken

F.       Discussion of Issues Pertaining to the Physical Limitations of WMS as Related to Current Middle School Programs – no discussion or action taken

G.       2005-2006 School Budget – no discussion or action taken

H.      2005-2006 School Committee Goals and Objectives – no discussion or action taken

 

         V.     New Business

                 (For Discussion and Action)

A.      New Policy #GBEB Standards of Employee Conduct – no discussion or action taken

 

B.       Bus Monitors’ Salary Proposal

Bill Daly explained that this proposal is a change in how we pay bus monitors.  Currently they are paid $14.00 per run which works out to $7.17 per hour.  This is not an equitable salary for their responsibility for the safety of our children.  The proposal would change their compensation to an hourly rate based on their number of years of service.  This would add $38,000 in the FY07 budget.

Don DeFedele questioned the one hour kindergarten run and asked if we comply with minimum labor laws for employees.  Bill Daly will check the minimum requirements.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the bus monitor’s salary proposal.  Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

C.       Strategic Plan – no discussion or action taken

D.      Southern RI Legislative Coalition – no discussion or action taken

 

E.       Recommendation of School Committee Representative to the Asset Management Committee

Three candidates must be submitted to the Town Council to fill the position on the Asset Management Commission as a  representative of the School Committee.  Dr. Halley recommended three applicants who he felt would serve the Town and School Committee well.

There was a request to see all of the applicants.

 

 

Motion was made by Bill Mudge to postpone the decision until the Committee saw all the applicant’s names.

Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

 

It was questioned if it was a problem with a bus contractor being an applicant.  Dr. Halley replied that it was not a problem when this person previously served on the Asset Management Commission and Town Council.

It was asked what criteria was used to pick these candidates.  Dr. Halley replied that he was looking for an advocate for the schools and all three applicants would be a strong advocate which has been missing from the Asset Management Commission.  Some applicants were only looking to save money.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate on the Asset Management Commission representative.  Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote: Unanimous to approve.

 

Vote to postpone the decision:  failed 5 to 2 with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson voting yes.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation of Asset Management Commission representatives to the Town Council.  Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote:  6 to 1 to approve with  Bill Mudge voting no.

 

F.       Special Education Transportation Issues – discussed previously in this meeting

G.       Building Feasibility Study of Wickford Elementary School by RGB – no discussion or action taken

H.      Return of Wickford Elementary School to the town of NK – no discussion or action taken

I.         Governing Style Policy/Committee Self-Assessment Policy – no discussion or action taken

J.        Consider Letter to Town Regarding High School Band Room Repair – no discussion or action taken

K.      Consider School Committee Policies on Website – no discussion or action taken

        

        VI.   Reports

                (For Discussion and Action)

A.      Special Reports

1.  Middle School Foreign Language Program – no discussion or action taken

                 B.   Standing Committee Reports – none submitted

                 C.   Ad hoc Committee Reports -  none submitted

 

VII.   Citizens/Committee Members Comments:

A.      Muriel Cammara  suggested that the Committee not antagonize the Town Council if they want this money.

B.       Kathleen Brown requested a copy of the proposed change in the Superintendent’s contract.  Dr. Halley responded that

       Mr. Reilly advised that this does not need to be made available until after the vote has been taken.  Mr. Reilly stated that

       this is not a public document.  Mrs. Brown also questioned why this is under unfinished business.

       Mrs. Brown asked if the middle school foreign language report would be discussed at the next meeting.  Don DeFedele

       replied that he would move it up on the next agenda.

                 

VIII.            Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 11:10pm.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                           Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                           __________________________

                                                                                           Karen A. Nutini

                                                                                  Administrative Assistant

                                                                                  to the Superintendent/School Committee